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Tide’s McCarron will return for senior season

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron celebrates a play during the SEC championship game Dec. 1. McCarron has announced that he will return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season. (Jamie Martin | Associated Press)

By CHASE GOODBREADHalifax Media Group

Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 9:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 9:38 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron announced he will return for his senior season Wednesday, ending speculation about whether he would enter the NFL draft a year early.

“I had many goals for myself when I came to the University of Alabama,” McCarron said. “I have been lucky enough to achieve some of those goals, but some are still ahead of me. There were many factors in my decision to return to Alabama for my senior year, but, after talking with my family and coaches, I knew it was the right choice for me.”

McCarron will be a third-year starter for Alabama in 2013. According to a source close to McCarron, one of those factors included the deep pool of prospects at the quarterback position in the NFL Draft.

Although informal feedback from the NFL indicated McCarron would rate favorably in that group, the source said, the 2014 quarterback class is thinner and thus a better draft for McCarron.

Meanwhile, a third season as Alabama’s starting quarterback will provide McCarron with a platform to further refine his skills.

“The NFL has long been a dream, but I think another year at Alabama can only help my chances of being successful at the next level,” McCarron added.

The Mobile native leads the nation in passing efficiency at 173.1 going into the Crimson Tide’s BCS national championship game appearance against Notre Dame. He has passed for 2,669 yards and a single-season school record 26 touchdowns against only three interceptions. He is 24-2 as a starter for the Crimson Tide.

“We are pleased that AJ has decided to return for his senior year next season,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He’s done a great job for us and has really grown, not only as a quarterback and a player, but as a leader of our team.”

Like McCarron, right tackle D.J. Fluker released a similar statement in 2011 through the university’s media relations to end NFL draft rumors in December.

This year, Fluker and cornerback Dee Milliner are among the Crimson Tide juniors expected to receive the highest draft grades for possible early NFL draft entry.

<p>TUSCALOOSA — Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron announced he will return for his senior season Wednesday, ending speculation about whether he would enter the NFL draft a year early.</p><p>“I had many goals for myself when I came to the University of Alabama,” McCarron said. “I have been lucky enough to achieve some of those goals, but some are still ahead of me. There were many factors in my decision to return to Alabama for my senior year, but, after talking with my family and coaches, I knew it was the right choice for me.”</p><p>McCarron will be a third-year starter for Alabama in 2013. According to a source close to McCarron, one of those factors included the deep pool of prospects at the quarterback position in the NFL Draft. </p><p>Although informal feedback from the NFL indicated McCarron would rate favorably in that group, the source said, the 2014 quarterback class is thinner and thus a better draft for McCarron. </p><p>Among those expected to be part of the 2013 quarterback class are Southern Cal's Matt Barkley, Arkansas' Tyler Wilson, Tennessee's Tyler Bray, Oklahoma's Landry Jones, Florida State's E.J. Manuel, North Carolina State's Mike Glennon and West Virginia's Geno Smith. </p><p>Meanwhile, a third season as Alabama's starting quarterback will provide McCarron with a platform to further refine his skills.</p><p>“The NFL has long been a dream, but I think another year at Alabama can only help my chances of being successful at the next level,” McCarron added.</p><p>The Mobile native leads the nation in passing efficiency at 173.1 going into the Crimson Tide's BCS national championship game appearance against Notre Dame. He has passed for 2,669 yards and a single-season school record 26 touchdowns against only three interceptions. He is 24-2 as a starter for the Crimson Tide.</p><p>“We are pleased that AJ has decided to return for his senior year next season,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He's done a great job for us and has really grown, not only as a quarterback and a player, but as a leader of our team.”</p><p>Like McCarron, right tackle D.J. Fluker released a similar statement in 2011 through the university's media relations to end NFL draft rumors in December. </p><p>This year, Fluker and cornerback Dee Milliner are among the Crimson Tide juniors expected to receive the highest draft grades for possible early NFL draft entry.</p>